January 2011:  Understanding Common Dog Behaviors

 “When a dog wags her tail and barks at the same time, how do you know which end to believe? “   ~Anonymous~

Happy New Year! All of us at Canine Clippers & Featherle Pet Care wish to thank you, and all our customers, for your loyalty & friendship. Your dedicated care for your pets, and, through them, your loyalty to us, has again kept us afloat through another year of tough economic waters. We’re looking forward to seeing you & your pets in 2011. 

Because most canine behaviors (however irritating), when seen from a dog’s point of view, are normal and to be expected, this month, we’ll focus on “Why do dogs……….”

Bark? Q: What do you call a Cocker Spaniel that barks 900 times in 10 minutes? A: Normal. It’s ironic that, if my dogs start barking, and I yell for them to shut up, they bark louder. Barking is a trait of our domesticated dogs; wolves don’t bark. Dogs bark for all kinds of reasons, and probably the best one is that it’s their way to communicate both their needs (e.g., going outside) and their perception of our needs (to know someone is at the door). Other reasons include perceived danger, boredom, hunger and a desire to play.

Roll (especially in smelly matter)? There are several theories, including one that dogs instinctively roll to pick up odors in order to relay to the pack the presence of nearby food. Another widely accepted theory is that dogs, as predators, roll to fool their prey by not only covering up their own scent, but also to convey a scent their prey is used to and doesn’t fear. Well-known dog behaviorists Stanly Coren & Patricia McConnell disagree. They believe dogs like to ‘advertise’ themselves in much the same way we humans advertise our appearance by wearing colorful or loud clothing; also because the odors just please a dog, much in the same way a perfume pleases a person.

Lick? It’s natural for mothers to lick newly born pups to clean them, and to move along important components from umbilical cord blood into the pup’s body. http://www.thedogplace.org/Breeder/Mating&Whelping/Umbilical-Cord-10122_Andrews.asp. Puppies lick their mothers to request bits of undigested food and lick their littermates to groom and bond. As dogs get older, licking can show submission, friendliness and affection (along with wanting a taste of whatever the recipient has been eating).

Male dogs lift their legs at hydrants & posts? A widely accepted belief is that they are placing their scent at other dogs’ nose levels and also so that the wind will dissipate the smell if it’s higher than ground level. (A larger dog, of course, doesn’t have to lift its leg as high as a smaller one.)

Wag their tails?  Tail wagging can be a way of communication with other dogs. One theory is that the muscles surrounding the tail press on the dog’s scent glands and release pheromones that signal sex, age and social status. Tucking its tail between its legs can signal a dog’s fear and submissiveness, while a high, quickly wagging tail can signal both joy and aggression.

Dig? Most dogs love to dig, (especially terriers, whose digging may also be related to hunting instincts; below ground is a treasure trove of bones, animal parts, and even live game). Several theories make sense: A ‘denning’ instinct, to create a protected shelter (particularly for a mother’s desire to create a ‘nest’ within which to deliver her pups). Digging provides temperature control if there’s no shelter available for relief from extreme heat or cold. Digging by a fence line may be due to frustration in not being able to escape to join a pack or other social interactions. Digging provides a safe storage area for bones and other food. Boredom or anxiety, if a dog has a lack of stimulus, or is looking for a safe den in which to relax, also contributes to digging. Another fascinating theory is what is regarded as ‘allelomimetic’ behavior; in which a dog mimics its human gardener (though highly destructive for the garden and very frustrating to the gardener!).

Chase Cars? It’s commonly believed that dogs with a strong ‘prey drive’ will chase cars as they would chase running prey. Since many chasing dogs also generally have strict boundaries around how far they’ll pursue a ‘running’ automobile, it can instead, or also, be a strong territorial instinct.

Finally, one of my favorites: Tilt their heads from side to side when they hear a strange sound?  Our dog Duke, who has pendulous ears, does this when I sing. It’s adorable (his expression; not my singing). One theory is that the shape and position of the dog’s ears, or ears covered with dense hair or fur, may obstruct sound and the dog has to tilt his head in order for sound waves to reach the eardrums. Logically, this theory must then contend that dogs with pricked ears don’t do this.  We humans also tend to do this when we hear something puzzling. (If your dog tilts or shakes her head a lot, best to check with your vet because it could mean an infection or other medical condition. Seehttp://www.canine-clippers.com/newsletters/may2010.htm for more information on care of your dog’s ears.).

Groomers and bathers are needed at all three salons, listed below.

Please note we are continuing workshops in Dog Grooming Classes for Professionals on the second Tuesday of every month. Please contact our Dumfries Salon at 703-221-3647.

~ Written by Rebecca Nilson ~  

703-378-9500; featherlepetcarechantilly@verizon.net, 13881-A Metrotech Dr.

703-430-0414; featherlepetcaresterling@verizon.net, 113-B Edds Lane

703-221-3647; canineclipperschool@verizon.net 18016 Fraley Blvd.